In this episode we talk to Jo Sandiford, Senior Lecturer at Leeds Beckett University about student placements and the new placement guidance document which Jo authored.

This is the first in a short series of podcasts in which we explore how placements are evolving, the impact of the pandemic, and how we hope to create more placements in the future to meet the needs of the profession.

The recently launched new guidance for practice-based learning can be found here: https://www.rcslt.org/members/lifelong-learning/practice-based-learning/ (note this is open access).

The interview is conducted by Jacques Strauss, freelance digital producer.

RCSLT - Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists 

Clinical placements for speech and language therapy - Part 1:  setting the scene

This is the second in a short series of podcasts in which we explore how placements are evolving, the impact of the pandemic, and how we hope to create more placements in the future to meet the needs of the profession.

In this episode we talk to three speech and language therapy students about the importance of placements to their education:

- Vivian Wong, Masters student, Reading University. Presented at an RCSLT event last year giving student perspectives on challenges and opportunities for best practice in on clinical placements. 
- Kerry O’Sullivan, Masters student, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh. Writing her Masters thesis on, 'What makes a positive placement experience for SLT students in the UK.'
- Ruth Filer, SLT student, Leeds Beckett University, recently collaborated on a toolkit for technology enabled care services for practice learning. 

The recently launched new guidance for practice-based learning can be found here  https://www.rcslt.org/members/lifelong-learning/practice-based-learning/ (note that this is open access so non-members can see it too).

The interview is conducted by Jacques Strauss, freelance digital producer.

Clinical placements for speech and language therapy - Part 2: the student perspective

In this episode we talk to practice educators and service managers about the importance of placements to them and the profession. With thanks to interviewees:

*Tracey Day, Independent Speech and Language Therapist (SLT), paediatric, plus Practice educator
*Emma Ferris, Practice educator, plus SLT Lecturer and Academic Lead for Practice Education, University of East Anglia 
*Eleanor Douglas, SLT in the Adult Learning Disability team, NHS Lothian. Experienced as both Placement coordinator and as a Practice educator.  
*Carolyn Hawkes, Service Lead, West Edinburgh and supporting author on new guidance, and previous practice educator.

This is the third and final episode in a short series of podcasts in which we explore how placements are evolving, the impact of the pandemic, and how we hope to create more placements in the future to meet the needs of the profession.

The recently launched new guidance for practice-based learning can be found here  
https://www.rcslt.org/members/lifelong-learning/practice-based-learning/
(note that this is open access so non-members can see it too).

The interview is conducted by Jacques Strauss, freelance digital producer.

Clinical placements for speech & language therapy - Part 3: Views of practice educators and managers

In this episode we talk to Melanie Cross, Speech and Language Therapist and Dr Hannah Hobson, Lecturer, Department of Psychology, University of York about the the links between speech, language and communication needs and social, emotional and mental health needs in children and young people. We look at some of the factors involved; difficulties accessing diagnosis and support and discuss ways to improve outcomes for children and young people, including more joined up working, improving communication access for all and further research.


Resources:

Mind your words: Children and young people's mental health elearning:
This online training highlights the links between mental health and communication and outlines how professionals can work together to remove communication barriers and help these children and young people achieve their potential. The course consists of 15 modules, of which the first five apply to all settings.
Access the free training here: https://www.rcsltcpd.org.uk/course/view.php?id=16


RCSLT factsheet on social, emotional and mental health
https://www.rcslt.org/members/clinical-guidance/social-emotional-mental-health/social-emotional-and-mental-health-influencing/#section-3


Emerging Minds Special Interest Research Group:
The Emerging Minds special interest research group (SIRG) is aiming to find out what research is needed on SEMH and SLCN, more information is here https://emergingminds.org.uk/special-interest-research-groups/.  

We’d really like to know what research you think is needed. Please give us your views and send this survey around your professional networks ( and to families who experience DLD ) using this anonymous link: https://york.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cAaEWew9CQ4HD02


Communication Access UK: an initiative developed in partnership by charities and organisations that share a vision to improve the lives of people with communication difficulties. There is a Communication Access Symbol, a new disability access symbol, which is underpinned by a training package and standards.
Access the free training here: https://communication-access.co.uk/

It’s also important to understand how difficult screening for and assessment of SLCN and DLD are. See Professor Courtney Norbury’s blog for more information about screening.  http://www.lilac-lab.org/news-post/to-screen-or-not-to-screen-important-factors-to-consider/ and there’s more information about assessment in Mind your Words.


References:

Hollo A, Wehby JH, Oliver RM. (2014) Unidentified Language Deficits in Children with Emotional and Behavioral Disorders: A Meta-Analysis. Exceptional Children; 80(2): 169-186.
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/001440291408000203

Newlove-Delgado, T., McManus, S., Sadler, K., Thandi, S., Vizard, T., Cartwright, C., & Ford, T. (2021). Child mental health in England before and during the COVID-19 lockdown. The Lancet Psychiatry, 8(5), 353–354. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2215-0366(20)30570-8




The interview is conducted by Jacques Strauss, freelance digital producer.

Mind your words: Children, young people and mental health and the links with communication

In this podcast we interview Jessica Cannons and Katherine Buckeridge. When Jess was ten she suffered a serious stroke due to a cardiotoxic chemotherapy drug she was taking for her first cancer. She talks about what life was like after the stroke and her journey through rehabilitation. Katherine is a specialist speech and language therapist who worked with Jess following the stroke.  Katherine published an article on her research about childhood acquired brain injuries in the International Journal of Language and Communication Disorders.

References:
Buckeridge K, Clarke C, Sellers D. (2020) Adolescents’ experiences of communication following acquired brain injury
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1460-6984.12506

Useful links:
The Children’s Trust  https://www.thechildrenstrust.org.uk  in particular these pages https://www.thechildrenstrust.org.uk/brain-injury-information
The Child Brain Injury Trust https://childbraininjurytrust.org.uk/
The Stroke Association https://www.stroke.org.uk/childhood-stroke
The United Kingdom Brain Injury Forum https://ukabif.org.uk/


The interview is conducted by Jacques Strauss, freelance digital producer.

Paediatric stroke & childhood brain injury: a patient and therapist perspective

In this IJLCD episode we interview Charlie Strutt and Ghada Khattab about their paper in the IJLCD: 'Does the duration and frequency of dummy (pacifier) use affect the development of speech?'

The current literature suggests a link between dummy (or pacifier) use and a number of both positive and detrimental consequences. Positive consequences include soothing effect and protection from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), while negative ones include increased risk of otitis media and dental malformation. However, there is little research surrounding the impact of dummy use on the development of speech sounds.

The paper is:
Does the duration and frequency of dummy (pacifier) use affect the development of speech?

Access the paper here:
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1460-6984.12605

NOTES:

For RCSLT members, access this paper by navigating to the IJLCD website from our A-Z journals list here.  Also, if you would like further information on the research terms used in the podcast, or many other aspects of research design, please navigate to the ‘Sage Research Methods’ collection from the Research Methods page of the RCSLT website’.

The interview is conducted by Amit Kulkarni, Head of Research and Outcomes at The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.

IJLCD: Does the duration and frequency of dummy (pacifier) use affect the development of speech?

In this episode we chat with Claire Slinger Consultant Speech & Language Therapist (Lancashire & South Cumbria Severe Asthma & Airways service ) and one of her patients, Iain, about the speech and language therapy role in assessment, diagnosis and treatment of upper airways disorders. We look at the the impact that upper airways disorders have on patients and how speech and language therapy can make  a positive difference.

References:

Newman KB, Mason 3rd UG, Schmaling KB. Clinical features of vocal cord dysfunction. American journal of respiratory and critical care medicine. 1995 Oct;152(4):1382-6
 Murphy JM, Stephen S, Pearson F, DeSoyza A. P108 A systematic review to explore the relationship between inducible laryngeal obstruction and healthcare utilisation in adults with Asthma.

Useful links:

RCSLT updated position paper on upper airways disorders: https://www.rcslt.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/RCSLT-upper-airways-position-paper-October-2021.pdf
NHS England Specialised Respiratory Services (adult) - Severe Asthma https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/specialised-respiratory-services-adult-severe-asthma/
European Respiratory Society Cough guidelines on the diagnosis and treatment of chronic cough in adults and children | European Respiratory Society (ersjournals.com) https://erj.ersjournals.com/content/55/1/1901136
The interview is conducted by Jacques Strauss, freelance digital producer.

Upper Airways Disorders: the speech and language therapy role

This is the first in a series of episodes which we will be releasing in 2022 which will look at anti-racism in the speech and language therapy profession. 

In this episode leaders of the network group 'SLTs of Colour' (Angela Whiteley, Heeral Davda and Dorett Davis) chat with the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists' chair, Mary Heritage, about the need for anti-racism awareness in the profession and the ways this is being taken forwards.

About SLTs of Colour:
SLTs of Colour is an inclusive network supporting Speech & Language Therapists in the UK, posting SLT profiles on Instagram. Find SLTs of Colour on Twitter and Instagram:
Twitter https://twitter.com/ofslts
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sltsofcolour/?hl=en

Useful links from RCSLT:

Raising concerns about racism: advice for members: https://www.rcslt.org/learning/diversity-inclusion-and-anti-racism/raising-concerns-about-racism-advice-for-members/ Note that this is open-access.

Anti-racism in speech and language therapy – programme of learning: https://www.rcslt.org/learning/diversity-inclusion-and-anti-racism/programme-of-learning/#section-2
 
Starting conversations in your workplace (toolkit):
https://www.rcslt.org/learning/diversity-inclusion-and-anti-racism/programme-of-learning/#section-3
 
RCSLT anti-racism updates:
https://www.rcslt.org/learning/diversity-inclusion-and-anti-racism/updates/ 


The interview was produced by Jacques Strauss, freelance digital producer.

Anti-racism in speech and language therapy: part 1

Ear, Nose and Throat  (ENT) services have a two week window in which they must see people presenting with symptoms which might indicate cancer. The pressure on these services has grown hugely since the pandemic and now we need novel approaches to help reduce the backlog and improve the experience for patients.

In this episode of our series on papers from the International Journal of Language and Communication Disorders we chat with Louise Occomore-Kent, speech and language therapist (SLT), about ways in which SLTs might support with increased pressure on Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) pathway services.
 
Louise, and fellow researchers, Ellie Hatch and Madeline Cruice, explored SLTs’ views of extending their role to work with patients referred on the ENT two week wait pathway, to speed up diagnosis for those who are found to have cancer and to provide a pathway for the majority who do not have cancer, but still have issues which need to be addressed.

The paper is:
Scoping opinion: Speech and language therapists’ views on extending their role to the urgent ear, nose and throat pathway.
Louise C. Occomore-Kent,Ellie Hatch,Madeline Cruice
First published: 26 July 2021

Access the paper here:
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/1460-6984.12650

NOTES:

For RCSLT members, access this paper by navigating to the IJLCD website from our A-Z journals list here.  Also, if you would like further information on the research terms used in the podcast, or many other aspects of research design, please navigate to the ‘Sage Research Methods’ collection from the Research Methods page of the RCSLT website’.

The interview is conducted by Jacques Strauss, freelance producer, on behalf of The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.

IJLCD - Speech and language therapists and the Ear, Nose and Throat pathway

The RCSLT is introducing new eating, drinking and swallowing competencies for pre-registration speech and language therapy students.  In this episode we walk you through why these are being introduced, what they involve and the difference they will make.

Interviewees:

Kirsty Catling, Professional Education Lead, SLT lecturer, UCL
Kathleen Graham, Project coordinator pre-registration eating, drinking and swallowing

Useful links from RCSLT:

- Pre-registration eating, drinking and swallowing competencies hub https://www.rcslt.org/learning/pre-registration-eds-competencies/
- Follow the conversation on Twitter using the hashtag #RCSLTEDS

The interview was produced by Jacques Strauss, freelance digital producer.

The new eating, drinking and swallowing competencies for SLT students

In this podcast we chat with Rebecca Waring, one of the authors of a paper looking at the differences between phonological delay and phonological disorder and how the disorder is linked to executive function.

The paper is:
Differentiating phonological delay from phonological disorder: executive function performance in preschoolers
Rebecca Waring,Susan Rickard Liow,Barbara Dodd,Patricia Eadie
First published:  21 January 2022

Access the paper here:
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/1460-6984.12694


Useful resources:
CLAESSEN, M., LEITÃO, S., and FRASER, C-J., 2017, Intervention for a young child with atypical phonology. In B. Dodd and A. Morgan (Eds.). Intervention Case Studies of Child Speech Impairment (pp. 275–291). Surrey, England: J&R Press.

CROSBIE, S., HOLM, A., and DODD, B., 2009, Cognitive flexibility in children with and without speech Disorder. Child Language Teaching and Therapy, 25 (2), 250-270.

DODD, B., 2011, Differentiating speech delay from speech disorder: Does it matter? Topics in Language Disorders, 31, 96-111.

JACQUES, S. and ZELAZO, P.D., 2001, The flexible item selection task (FIST): A measure of executive function in pre-schoolers. Developmental Neuropsychology, 20(3), 573-591.


For RCSLT members, access this paper by navigating to the IJLCD website from our A-Z journals list here www.rcslt.org/members/research/journals/. Also, if you would like further information on the research terms used in the podcast, or many other aspects of research design, please navigate to the ‘Sage Research Methods’ collection from the Research Methods page www.rcslt.org/members/research/research-methods/ of the RCSLT website’.

The interview is conducted by Jacques Strauss, freelance producer, on behalf of The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.

IJLCD - Phonological Delay versus Phonological disorder

In this episode we are joined by a panel of speakers who discuss why it's important to reframe how society views stammering: moving from thinking of stammering as a problem to be solved, to one that celebrates and takes pride in difference.

Interviewees:

Dr Patrick Campbell, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Kirsten Howells, Support Services Manager, Programme Lead for Adults, Stamma
Jennifer Roche, Senior SLT and lecturer at Manchester Metropolitan University

Resources:

Stammering Pride and Prejudice by Patrick Campbell, Christopher Constantino and Sam Simpson (Editors), J&R Press, 2019 (Book)
Find the Right Words campaign video https://vimeo.com/467759972
Editorial Guidelines for language around stammering, from Stamma https://stamma.org/resources/editorial-guidelines 
Connecting with others who stammer, through online and in-person groups and professional networks, from Stamma https://stamma.org/connect
Connecting with other parents of children who stammer, from Stamma https://stamma.org/news-features/parent2parent-support-group
No Diversity Without Disfluency campaign, from Stamma https://stamma.org/about-us/campaigns/no-diversity-without-disfluency
I don't need to be fixed - what I wish the world understood about stammering from Airedale NHS Foundation Trust https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgMqvvjhxQc

RCSLT resources:

Automated telephone services: a statement from the RCSLT https://www.rcslt.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Automated-telephone-services-statement.pdf
Twitter takeover by @_paulomeara https://wakelet.com/wake/aSQaUk16vFwc88p8_Lsq0

The interview was produced by Jacques Strauss, freelance digital producer.

Stammering: time for a radical rethink?

We all know that the NHS is under enormous pressure and so we need to start being more innovative about ways in which we can resource the NHS. Support workers, of course, play an enormously important role, both within the NHS and further afield.

The RCSLT has developed a framework which is specific to speech and language therapist support workers, which defines the competencies and skills required in the role, how are these recognised and how should supervision take place, as well as providing a structure for the career progression of support workers.

In this podcast, we are joined by some of the people who were involved in the development of that framework. And they’re here to talk to us about what it is and why it matters. Whether you’re a support worker, an speech and language therapist, or a manager. 


Interviewees:

Alice Howells - speech and language therapy masters student
Ruth Howes - Lead author of the framework and Specialist SLT
Charlotte McCollum - SeniorSpeech and Language Therapist, Chatterbug Ltd
Samantha Thinnesen - Speech and Language Therapy Assistant in Head, Neck and Voice 



PLEASE NOTE: In the interview the framework is referred to as the PCDF - or Professional Competencies Development Framework - which was correct at the time of recording. It is now just called 'The Support Worker Framework'.


Resources:
The RCSLT Support Workers Hub with links to the framework: https://www.rcslt.org/members/your-career/support-workers-hub/?option=saml_user_login

The interview was produced by Jacques Strauss, freelance digital producer.

Please do feedback on our podcasts to help us improve them: https://tinyurl.com/RCSLTPodcastFeedback. Thank you!

Introducing the RCSLT Support Worker framework

Introducing the RCSLT Support workers' framework and hub

The RCSLT has published a position paper on the use of thickened fluids in the management of eating, drinking and swallowing difficulty (dysphagia).  In this podcast we speak with the team behind the paper. 

We cover:

- Why did we create a position paper?
- How the paper was developed using a very wide group of stakeholders.
- The main themes of the paper.
- If you're a therapist what do you need to think about now? - Thinking about the person sitting in front of you who needs therapy.

Interviewees:

Maya Asir, Neonatal Clinical Specialist Speech and Language Therapist and Acute Paediatric Speech and Language Therapy Lead  
Kathleen Graham, Senior Project Manager, RCSLT
Lizzie King, Allied Health Professional (AHP) Clinical Lead and Professional Lead for Adult Speech and Language Therapy
Tracy Lazenby-Paterson, Speech and Language Therapist, Team Coordinator, Community Learning Disability service, RCSLT Clinical Adviser- ALD Dysphagia


Resources:
Link to the position paper:  https://www.rcslt.org/members/clinical-guidance/dysphagia/thickened-fluids 


The interview was produced by Jacques Strauss, freelance digital producer.

Thickened fluids guidance from the RCSLT: an introduction

Often, when we're working with kids with DLD, we assume that we need to be working on simple sentences or very basic vocabulary, but should we be aiming for more? Can we support children with DLD to learn to use grammar and vocabulary in ways that are functional for their life, such as their everyday communication or their school curriculum? 


The paper is:
Teaching little kids big sentences: A randomized controlled trial showing that children with DLD respond to complex syntax intervention embedded within the context of preschool/kindergarten science instruction

Amanda J. Owen Van Horne, Maura Curran, Susan Wagner Cook, Renée Cole, Karla K. McGregor

First published: 
02 May 2023



Useful resources:

We Have to Talk About Something: Why NOT Talk About the Curriculum? A Guide to Embedding Language Interventions in Curricular Content

Two papers on tricking yourself into using complement clauses:
Preparing Student Clinicians to Provide Recast Therapy on Complement Clauses: A Training Program
Can vocabulary lessons increase the amount of complex syntax produced by head start teachers? A pilot study

Recast Therapy for Treating Syntax in Bilingual Children With Developmental Language Disorder: A Feasibility and Early Efficacy Study Examining the Role of Language of Intervention on Outcomes
Anny Castilla-Earls and Amanda Owen Van Hornes

Two earlier papers on embedding instruction in science learning:
The Challenge of Rich Vocabulary Instruction for Children With Developmental Language Disorder

Use of Recast Intervention to Teach Causal Adverbials to Young Children With Developmental Language Disorder Within a Science Curriculum: A Single Case Design Study


A free grammar guide by Amanda Owen Van Horne and Susan Ebbels:
https://www.theinformedslp.com/review/the-grammar-guide-you-never-knew-you-always-wanted

Shape coding: https://shapecoding.com/

NOTES:
For RCSLT members, access this paper by navigating to the IJLCD website from our A-Z journals list here. Also, if you would like further information on the research terms used in the podcast, or many other aspects of research design, please navigate to the ‘Sage Research Methods’ collection from the Research Methods page of the RCSLT website’.

The interview is conducted by Jacques Strauss, freelance producer, on behalf of The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.

Please be aware that the views expressed are those of the guests and not the RCSLT.

IJLCD - Teaching little kids big sentences

IJLCD - Teaching little kids about big sentences

How do speech and language therapists collaborate effectively with parents of children with DLD? Firstly, we need to understand, 'What are their needs?' In this podcast we talk with lead researcher Inge Klatte, of the Research Center for Healthy and Sustainable Living, HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht, and one of the parents involved in this study, Astrid van Gessel, who has two children with DLD and also works at a special needs school.
 

The paper is:
Collaborative working in speech and language therapy for children with DLD—What are parents’ needs?’ 

Inge S. Klatte, Manon Bloemen, Annemieke de Groot, Tina C. Mantel, Marjolijn Ketelaar, Ellen Gerrits

First published: 
16 September 2023


 
Useful resources:

The following papers are open access.

Network Collaboration for Communication: Collaboration for Communication Network | Collaboration for Communication Network | Newcastle University (ncl.ac.uk)

Link to the paper ‘Collaborative working in speech and language therapy for children with DLD—What are parents’ needs?’:  Collaborative working in speech and language therapy for children with DLD—What are parents’ needs? - Klatte - 2024 - International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders - Wiley Online Library 

Link to the systematic review I mention in the podcast: Collaboration: How does it work according to therapists and parents of young children? A systematic review - Klatte - 2024 - Child: Care, Health and Development - Wiley Online Library

Also see RCSLT's Developmental Language Disorder overview: https://www.rcslt.org/speech-and-language-therapy/clinical-information/developmental-language-disorder/


NOTES:
For RCSLT members, access this paper by navigating to the IJLCD website from our A-Z journals list here. Also, if you would like further information on the research terms used in the podcast, or many other aspects of research design, please navigate to the ‘Sage Research Methods’ collection from the Research Methods page of the RCSLT website’.


NOTES:
For RCSLT members, access this paper by navigating to the IJLCD website from our A-Z journals list here. Also, if you would like further information on the research terms used in the podcast, or many other aspects of research design, please navigate to the ‘Sage Research Methods’ collection from the Research Methods page of the RCSLT website’.


The interview is conducted by Jacques Strauss, freelance producer, on behalf of The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.

Please be aware that the views expressed are those of the guests and not the RCSLT.

IJLCD: Collaborative working with parents to support children with Developmental Language Disorder

In this, the first of our conversations around AI in speech and language therapy, we chat with Rachel Barton, speech and language therapist about her journey from AI sceptic to AI advocate. 

Rachel shares what she has learned and offers ideas on how others might approach AI in their work. Rachel also advises on areas of caution and talks about her pledge for responsible generative AI use in speech and language therapy.


Interviewee:

Rachel Barton, independent speech and language therapist and Professional Supervisor, Chatterbox Sussex Speech and Language Therapy Ltd


Resources:


Henrik Kniberg “Generative AI in a Nutshell - how to survive and thrive in the age of AI”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IK3DFHRFfw

Ethan Mollick “Co-Intelligence – Living and Working with AI” (2024) Penguin https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/460207/co-intelligence-by-mollick-ethan/9780753560778
 
Jordan Wilson’s daily livestream, podcast and newsletter https://www.youreverydayai.com/about-everyday-ai-podcast/
 
https://www.chatterboxsussex.com/blog - this has a more in-depth blog on the SERVE prompt framework as well as other blogs on WordMango, Bias, how AI might help with waiting times and the responsible AI pledge.
 
https://www.chatterboxsussex.com/aiworkshops - more information about Rachel's AI journey and work, with a link to suggested further learning materials including podcasts, videos, websites and research articles
 

 

For RCSLT Members only: 

Artificial Intelligence resources: https://www.rcslt.org/members/delivering-quality-services/artificial-intelligence-resources/
Integrating Generative AI in speech and language therapy: a practical guide https://www.rcsltcpd.org.uk/lessons/ai-in-slt/
 

The interview is conducted by Jacques Strauss, freelance producer, on behalf of The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.

Using Generative AI in speech and language therapy: a journey from sceptic to advocate

In this, the third of our conversations around AI in speech and language therapy, we look at AI as a tool for people who have aphasia - a language disorder that affects a person's ability to speak and understand. Caitlin Longman, Accessibility Lead at the Stroke Association tells us about her work with people with aphasia and we hear from some of them about how they are using AI and also what are their concerns. Dr Abi Roper, an academic speech and language therapist and self-confessed 'techy' tells us about her research into AI to support aphasia. 


Interviewees:

Caitlin Longman, Accessibility Lead at the Stroke Association, guest lecturer at Strathclyde University.
Abi Roper, Speech and Language Therapy research fellow at City University and Joint chair of the Computers in Therapy Clinical Excellence Network. 

Resources:

For RCSLT Members only:

Artificial Intelligence resources: www.rcslt.org/members/delivering…ligence-resources/

Integrating Generative AI in speech and language therapy: a practical guide www.rcsltcpd.org.uk/lessons/ai-in-slt/

Open access:
Computers in Therapy CEN (‘CITCEN’) https://citcen.org/ 

Co-Pilot https://copilot.microsoft.com/ 

ChatGPT https://chatgpt.com/ 

Image gen Free AI Image Generator - Image Creator in Bing



Factsheets from AbilityNet about AI https://abilitynet.org.uk/factsheets/what-ai-and-how-do-i-use-it 

 Free webinar from AbilityNet about how AI can help disabled people https://abilitynet.org.uk/webinars/how-can-ai-help-disabled-people 

 Webinar series from the Health Foundation about AI and the NHS (exploring priorities and anticipating the future) https://www.health.org.uk/about-the-health-foundation/get-involved/events/ai-in-the-nhs-shaping-the-future-of-healthcare 

 A guide from the NHS Confederation on AI: "AI in healthcare: navigating the noise". https://www.nhsconfed.org/publications/ai-healthcare 

Blog from NHS England ‘How artificial intelligence is helping to speed up the diagnosis and treatment of stroke patients’. https://www.england.nhs.uk/blog/how-artificial-intelligence-is-helping-to-speed-up-the-diagnosis-and-treatment-of-stroke-patients/

 


Research:


AI technologies in therapy - experiences and perceptions of SLPs
Suh, H., Dangol, A., Meadan, H., Miller, C. A., & Kientz, J. A. (2024, June). Opportunities and challenges for AI-based support for speech-language pathologists. In Proceedings of the 3rd Annual Meeting of the Symposium on Human-Computer Interaction for Work (pp. 1-14).



Please be aware that the views expressed are those of the guests and not the RCSLT.

Please do take a few moments to respond to our podcast survey: uk.surveymonkey.com/r/LG5HC3R

How AI is being used to support people living with aphasia

How Artifical Intelligence is being used to support people living with aphasia

Welcome to the fourth episode in our RCSLT AI series. In this episode we chat with Dr Richard Cave, Project Manager SLT at MND Association and Consultant Speech and Language Therapist, about his work in the field of Artificial Intelligence. Richard has backgrounds in both computing and speech and language therapy and he brings these together in his work with voice banking and AI, working with Google, MNDA and most recently in his PhD research at UCL.

We cover:

Richard's journey with AI and speech and language therapy.
What are the opportunities with AI?
What are the things to be cautious about? How can we ensure people are not left out.
Why speech and language therapists need to be in this space.

Interviewees:

Dr Richard Cave, Project Manager SLT at MND Association and Consultant Speech and Language Therapist.

Resources:
Centre for Digital Language Inclusion: https://www.cdl-inclusion.com/

RCSLT Artificial Intelligence resources: https://www.rcslt.org/members/delivering-quality-services/artificial-intelligence-resources/

What's happening at the juxtaposition of AI and speech & language therapy?

RCSLT news update with special focus on Northern Ireland

RCSLT news April 2025: featuring updates in Northern Ireland and general updates from UK

rcslt-news-april-2025-focus-on-northern-ireland-plus-updates-from-around-the-uk

The May news podcast for the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists featuring Derek Munn, Director of Policy and Public Affairs, and Steve Jamieson, CEO for the RCSLT. Published 27 May 2025.

In this month’s news podcast RCSLT CEO joins us to talk about the 80th birthday celebrations; the Equality, Diversity and Belonging (EDB) work with members; the leadership programme; applications for new governance roles and more. 

Derek Munn shares some exciting wins for the profession around the UK and outlines some areas of focus for the policy team over the coming months.

This interview was conducted by Victoria Harris, Head of Learning at The Royal College of Speech and produced and edited by freelance producer Jacques Strauss.

RCSLT May 2025 news

RCSLT news May 2025: update from CEO Steve Jamieson, plus news of exciting policy wins

The June news podcast for the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists featuring Derek Munn, Director of Policy and Public Affairs. Published 16 June 2025. 

In our update this month:

- What the Chancellor's Spending Review means for speech and language therapy;

- Developments across the UK covering children; the Health Select Committee First 1,000 days of Life  inquiry; involvement in the UK Parliament modernisation committee; Integrated Care Board blueprint; and the Northern Ireland curriculum.

- Voice Box competition in Scotland: winner of the best joke is announced.  This year’s winning joke came from Ezra: “I bought 10 bees, but I was given 11 bees. So, I said to the beekeeper, ‘Why is there an extra bee?’ The beekeeper said, ‘That one’s a freebie.’” 

- #RockingAphasia https://www.facebook.com/RockingAphasia/?locale=en_GB 

- Inspire Leadership programme for RCSLT members: https://www.rcslt.org/news/rcslt-leadership-programme-applications-open/

This interview was conducted by Victoria Harris, Head of Learning at The Royal College of Speech and produced and edited by freelance producer Jacques Strauss.

rcslt-news-june-2025 (2)

In our update this month:

Exploring the workforce implications of waiting lists in children and young people’s speech and language therapy services.
Response to the 10-year health plan for England.
Continued focus on SEND in England and proposals in Northern Ireland.
Report from RCSLT Scotland with an experimental analysis of additional numbers of SLTs needed in education.
 

This interview was conducted by Victoria Harris, Head of Learning at The Royal College of Speech and produced and edited by freelance producer Jacques Strauss.



Please be aware that the views expressed are those of the guests and not the RCSLT.

Please do take a few moments to respond to our podcast survey: uk.surveymonkey.com/r/LG5HC3R

RCSLT July news: 10 year health plan for England; workforce impacts of waiting lists and more

A report, ‘SLTs on the tight rope: Learning from the experiences of disabled SLTs in the workplace’ (April 2025) by Mélanie Gréaux explores the experiences of disabled Speech and Language Therapists and what we can do to promote disability inclusion in the speech and language therapy profession. (You can hear more about this in the first podcast of this set of two.)

In this second podcast some of our members with disability discuss importance of the report and issues it raises including the:

Challenges disabled SLTs and SLT students face in the workplace;
Impact of ableism;
How colleagues can engage;
Value their disabilities bring to the profession.  
With thanks to panellists:

Jodee Simpson - Highly Specialist autistic Speech and Language Therapist and Masters Research student and co-founder of the Neurodivergent SLT network
Claire Westwood - Designated Clinical Officer for SEND - Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust 
Suzi Willis – Senior Lecturer in Speech & Language Therapy & MSc (pre-reg) SLT Programme Lead, Manchester Metropolitan University 
(All the panellists are members of the RCSLT's Disability Working Group and Jodee also represents the RCSLT's Neurodiversity Working Group)


Please be aware that the views expressed are those of the guests and not the RCSLT.

Please do take a few moments to respond to our podcast survey: uk.surveymonkey.com/r/LG5HC3R


learning-from-the-experiences-of-disabled-slts-part-2-of-2

This podcast is the first of two podcasts looking at the experiences of disabled speech and languages.

We open in this episode with an interview with Mélanie Gréaux, author of a report  published early April,  ‘SLTs on the tight rope: Learning from the experiences of disabled SLTs in the workplace’. The report explores the experiences of disabled SLTs and what we can do to promote disability inclusion in the profession.

We cover:

What was the research question you wanted to ask? 
Why is this of interest to you?
What do we mean by disability and who are we talking about?
What did you find? 

Interviewees:

 Mélanie Gréaux, Consultant on disability, World Health Organisation

Resources:

https://www.rcslt.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/SLTs-on-the-tightrope-Learning-from-disabled-SLTs.pdf



Please be aware that the views expressed are those of the guests and not the RCSLT.

Please do take a few moments to respond to our podcast survey: uk.surveymonkey.com/r/LG5HC3R

Learning from the experiences of disabled SLTs (part 1 of 2)

In our update this month:
 
For Wales:

Preparing for the Senedd elections in 2026: https://www.rcslt.org/wales/#section-2 
Work has begun on a Welsh language version of CAUK training, funded by the National Lottery. (See original CAUK training: https://communication-access.co.uk/) 
What’s happened following the launch of the State of the Nation report (See here: https://www.rcslt.org/wales/#section-2 ) in January.
Opportunities to get involved:

Frailty task and finish group.
Capturing evidence on the impact of Additional Learning Needs legislation for a Senedd committee inquiry.
New survey for independent members.
Around the UK:

Behind the scenes on SEND reform and workforce matters.
News about waiting list levels (people coming off) and graduate guarantee for nurses and midwives – AHP concern.
Co-signed a letter to PM on oracy, Oracy 21.
BSL plan for English education; Guernsey communication boards
Book your place at the RCSLT Conference 2025: https://www.rcslt.org/news/book-your-place-at-rcslt-conference-2025/ 
 

This interview was conducted by Victoria Harris, Head of Learning at The Royal College of Speech and produced and edited by freelance producer Jacques Strauss.

Please be aware that the views expressed are those of the guests and not the RCSLT.
 
Please do take a few moments to respond to our podcast survey: uk.surveymonkey.com/r/LG5HC3R

RCSLT news August 2025

RCSLT August News: spotlight on Wales inc 2026 elections, Welsh version of CAUK and more

In our update this month:

Update on special educational needs in England and Northern Ireland.
Partnership report on children's services in Scotland.
CAUK training for parliamentarians as part of National Inclusion Week.
RCSLT conference.
Useful links:

Sign up to our free Communication Access training: Home - Communication Access UK
Book your place at the RCSLT Conference 2025: https://www.rcslt.org/news/book-your-place-at-rcslt-conference-2025/ 
 

This interview was conducted by Victoria Harris, Head of Learning at The Royal College of Speech and produced and edited by freelance producer Jacques Strauss.

Please be aware that the views expressed are those of the guests and not the RCSLT.
 
Please do take a few moments to respond to our podcast survey: uk.surveymonkey.com/r/LG5HC3R

RCSLT news Sept 2025

RCSLT news Sept 2025:  SEN in England and NI; report on childrens' services Scotland and more

In this podcast we speak with Anna Ekström and Olof Sandgren about their study of experiences of young people with DLD, which focused on language and communication in a school context. The study is guided by the following research question: How do young people diagnosed with DLD describe their experiences of language and communication in school?

The paper is:

'It depends on who I'm with': How young people with developmental language disorder describe their experiences of language and communication in school https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36703539/

Anna Ekström , Olof Sandgren , Birgitta Sahlén , Christina Samuelsson

First published: 26 January 2023

This paper was nominated in the top five for the 2023 IJLCD Editors' Prize.

 

Resources:

What is Developmental Language Disorder: a discussion for DLD awareness day 2023 https://open.spotify.com/episode/70V0Qqnjf1Y1jH98unrN3Y (Podcast Oct 2023)

IJLCD - The impact of DLD on jury perceptions: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7zQNjYxju2EwuEKxiswSN6 (Podcast May 2023)

IJLCD - collaborative working with parents to support children with Developmental Language Disorder https://open.spotify.com/episode/1Kvyx0tiNZ6CgIQmv2DCan (Podcast Sept 2024)



Please be aware that the views expressed are those of the guests and not the RCSLT.

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IJLCD - 'It depnds who I'm with'

IJLCD: 'It depends who I'm with' - young people with DLD and their experiences in school

In our update this month:

Special guest Steve Jamieson CEO talks about:

RCSLT’s 80th anniversary year https://www.rcslt.org/about-us/rcslt-at-80/ 
Annual conference coming up https://www.rcslt.org/events/rcslt-conference-2025/ 
Starting work on shaping the next strategic plan
Inspire leadership programme update https://www.rcslt.org/learning/rcslt-leadership-programme/ 
Derek Munn, Director of Policy and Public Affairs updates us on:

NHSE workforce plan consultation: respond here https://www.gov.uk/government/calls-for-evidence/10-year-workforce-plan 
SEND reforms – awaiting news 
Oral evidence to the Scottish Parliament Health Committee – Autism Spectrum Disorder pathways

This interview was conducted by Victoria Harris, Head of Learning at The Royal College of Speech and produced and edited by freelance producer Jacques Strauss.






Please be aware that the views expressed are those of the guests and not the RCSLT.

Please do take a few moments to respond to our podcast survey: uk.surveymonkey.com/r/LG5HC3R

RCSLT News October 2025: update from CEO and key policy news

In this episode we talk to Christian Boakye, a speech and language therapist at Feltham Young Offenders Institution. It's a fascinating look into how speech and language therapy can help young offenders deal with custodial sentences and improve their chances of rehabilitation upon release. We also talk about prison abolition, diversity in the workforce and other issues related to criminal justice.

Speech and language therapy at Feltham Young Offenders Institution

Today’s podcast is on a paper from the International Journal of Language and Communication Disorders (ILJCD). Every other month RCSLT selects an article from the journal that we think will be of interest to the wider SLT community and interview the authors.

This episode is with Triona Sweeney and Debbie Sell, authors of the paper: 

'Randomized controlled trial comparing Parent Led Therapist Supervised Articulation Therapy (PLAT) with routine intervention for children with speech disorders associated with cleft palate'  (July 2020)
 
Over 50% of children with cleft palate require speech therapy. However, there is a lack of timely, accessible speech therapy services in the UK and Ireland. Previous studies have shown that parents can deliver therapy effectively, and that connected health can support the delivery of speech therapy. This study aims to provide evidence that parent‐led therapy with the supervision of a specialist cleft therapist using FaceTime is effective.

NOTES:
For RCSLT members, access this paper by navigating to the IJLCD website from our A-Z journals list here:
https://www.rcslt.org/members/research/journals/

Also, if you would like further information on the research terms used in the podcast, or many other aspects of research design, please navigate to the ‘Sage Research Methods’ collection from the Research Methods page of the RCSLT website: https://www.rcslt.org/members/research/research-methods/ 

The interview is conducted by Amit Kulkarni, Head of Research and Outcomes at The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.

IJLCD: Parent-led intervention in children with cleft palate - looking at the research

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